Brexit on agenda as Jake holds off council leader’s challenge
CONSERVAT IV E Jake Berry fought off a resurgent Labour challenge to hold on to Rossendale and Darwen after a dramatic general election night ended with the Tories the largest party in a hung parliament.
Voters across the country woke up to discover that Theresa May’s gamble on gaining a mandate for the forthcoming Brexit negotiations had backfired, with her party losing its overall majority.
In the Valley seats of Rossendale and Darwen, and Hyndburn and Haslingden, Labour made improved showings on two years ago, while in marginal Bury North, which covers Ramsbottom, Conservative incumbent David Nuttall was defeated by Labour’s James Frith.
In his victory speech newly elected Rossendale Mr Berry said he felt “humbled” to be returned again as MP - after defeating Labour council leader Alyson Barnes, albeit with a reduced majority of 3,216.
Addressing Whitworth Riverside following the count, he said: “It’s a fantastic feeling to have the privilege of representing Rossendale and Darwen again as its member of Parliament. I’m deeply humbled by the trust the voters have put in me.
“I vow that I will do my best to serve you as well as I can and ensure that here in Rossendale in Darwen we create a fairer, happier, more prosperous society.”
He thanked the other candidates for a “really good election” and said he hoped to work “very closely” in future with Rossendale council leader Ms Barnes.
Ms Barnes was scathing in her attack of the treatment of voters by the Conservative government, saying they had treated the electorate with “contempt”.
She said: “I do need to thank the residents who voted Labour this time. I think it’s quite staggering really this election has cost this country £150 million.
“The Prime Minister called this election to strengthen her hand, she had a 20 point lead in the polls. And of course, a snap election does play to the incumbent, doesn’t it?
“What we’ve seen this evening is the people of this country have been taken for granted. I think they have been treated with contempt.
“And I think we’ve seen it tonight that we’re not prepared to tolerate that anymore.”
Liberal Democrat candidate Sean Bonner, who achieved 3.1 per cent in Rossendale and Darwen, was stoic in the face of modest support.
He said: “I think we have held our ground and made some gains which is all that was to be expected. I think it’s a long hard road back but at least we have made the first step.
“After the last one I think we shouldn’t touch another coalition with a barge pole.”
Green candidate John Payne, sporting a fetching handmade rosette, said he believes the party has been hit by tactical voting across the country.
Mr Payne who gained 1.6pc of the vote, said: “We would like to see a voting system where everyone voted for the party they like best and that needs a proper proportional electoral system.”
In Hyndburn – which covers Haslingden – incumbent Labour MP Graham Jones increased his share by 11 points as UKIP’s sizeable 2015 vote dived.
A vociferous critic of Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Jones admitted that the leader’s performance had come as a surprise. He added: “I think he has surprised a lot of people in the way that he has come across. He means what he says. He’s honest, whether you agree with him or disa- gree with him.
“Some of the attacks on Jeremy Corbyn have gone too far. I think he has improved significantly and I don’t think anybody can take that away from him. I thank the people of Hyndburn and Haslingden for electing me. My promise as always is a pretty simple promise, to work hard for this borough.”
UKIP’s collapse, which saw its candidate Janet Brown’s vote share dive 17 per cent, also saw Tory candidate Kevin Horkin gain 8.6 per cent on the 2015 vote share, but Labour increased its majority to 5,815.
UKIP councillor Paul Thompson hit out at his party leadership.
He said: “From what I’ve seen there’s been a complete collapse of UKIP. But what can you do when your own party stabs you in the back?
“Nine years I have grafted for UKIP here in Hyndburn. They are telling my lads to go out and vote Conservative. What kind of party does that to its own people?”
Bury North, which covers Ramsbottom, had been identified as a key seat in the national battle between Conservative and Labour, with incumbent Tory David Nuttall holding a slim majority from 2015 of just 378 votes. But Labour took the seat with something to spare, James Frith emerging with a majority of 4,375 on 53.6 per cent of the vote. Turn over for more election analysis